The tables below are meant to illustrate how being popular (Grader) on Twitter doesn’t necessarily mean you have influence (TweetLevel). Very few of the most popular tweeps make the grade on the influence table. Also, quite a few influential tweeters don’t have that many followers, relatively speaking. Congratulations to @phdinparenting who continues to top both lists.

Here’s how the Twitter top 20 is compiled:

Only real humans are included (no brands, no publishers etc).

Users must be listed on Grader to be included on either table.

All those on the Grader side of the table score a perfect 100.

Anyone who thinks they should be included in the Top 20 and has been missed out should leave a note in the comments to be considered for inclusion next month.

After a brief absence (December and January) the Ottawa Twitter top 20 makes its return. I started doing these tables over a year ago to illustrate how being popular (Grader) on Twitter doesn’t necessarily mean you have influence (TweetLevel). Over time many of the names have changed, established handles have slipped and new ones enter the fray. Both lists are always in a state of flux.

But do these tables tell the popular/influence story? TweetLevel changed its algorithym a few months back; and it seems that Grader must have done so too. In the early days of the Top 20, names on the left side often didn’t make it across to the right. There were tweeters with huge numbers of followers who scored very low on the influence scale. This is now the exception.

Perhaps people are just getting better at using Twitter to build influence? More likely, it’s about how the two tools are now evaluating Twitter users.

Still, there are marked differences between the two rankings and lots of new entrants! And such tables are just a bit of fun mixed with a little friendly competition.

Here’s how the Twitter top 20 is compiled:

Only real humans are included (no brands, no publishers etc).

Users must be listed on Grader to be included on either table.

All those on the Grader side of the table score a perfect 100.

Anyone who thinks they should be included in the Top 20 and has been missed out should leave a note in the comments to be considered for inclusion next month.

One thing is for certain, Twitter Grader is a lot more volatile than Tweetlevel. This month the left column has changed significantly from last month, with many new players added and lots of familiar names dropped altogether. However, the right column, the measure of influence, sees many of the same names as in month’s past. Is this because popularity is fleeting and influence is enduring? You tell me.

To get in with a chance to be on next month’s ranking be sure you get your Twitter profile listed on Twitter Grader and link it to Ottawa. I don’t include profiles without a personal name associated with it. That way regular tweeps are not completing with major brands or publishers. If you think you make the grade and I’ve left you out, I apologize. Please leave me a comment on this post and I’ll be sure to include you next time around.

What a difference a month makes! October sees significant change to the Twitter Popularity side of the table as many long-time residents have slipped off the charts completely. That makes room for newcomers @facingthestreet, @nicnanos, @peggymccoll, @atifmizaemax, @stphnmaher and @ryanishype. Congrats to you all.

However none of these newcomers have made the grade when it comes to Twitter influence. So I ask you, what’s more important on Twitter. Popularity? Influence?

My answer to this question is probably neither. What’s really important about participating on Twitter is the value each person derives from it. That might mean getting your daily news; it could be finding new friends that live in your street. The benefits are as numerous as users.

Let’s review some of the facts about my monthly Top 20 lists:

You must be listed on Twitter Grader to be included

You must be a person (not a company or a brand).

All the Twitter Grader names included score a perfect 100.

The influence ranking is flawed. It’s fundamentally based on the Grader table, but if you score less than 100 there, I can’t see you to include you on the TweetLevel table. So if you believe you should be included please leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be sure to include you next month.

Here’s this month’s Ottawa’s Twitter top 20 rankings. Things in the left-hand column have changed slightly with some new entries and Kelly Rusk pushing me out of the second-place position. Things on the right have changed too. Overall scores are higher ranging from 72.3 to 86.6; last month’s range was 66.7 to 83.8. The reason for this change? Well, there are some new profiles listed which are pushing things up. And perhaps individuals are using the lazy days of summer to interact with their Twitter communities more?

I first started doing these tables because I was interested to see how different things might look when comparing popularity to influence. From the very first Top 20, the difference has been stark. This month is no different. Many of the most popular profiles (those with most followers) do not rank as highly on the influence charts. Which is more important? It depends what you want to get out of Twitter…both approaches are valid.

The true value of Twitter is what each individual user derives from it; its never a random number on a scoreboard. Congratulations if you’ve made the grade in terms of popularity or influence or both. If I’ve missed you off the list and you should be there, I apologise; please leave a note in the comments and I’ll fix it next month.